Orientation

So after creating this blog for my study abroad experience, and not actually updating this since I have been here for about three weeks...I am feeling a little irresponsible and, per usual, late in blogging. I have had such a hectic and thorough orientation, and looking back on all the things we did, it really is quite amazing to see how much we exactly did...A more comprehensive overview and reflections on my orientation deserves a coffee date, but to lay out a few of the really cool things I did:

• A Turkish Bath/Hammam...the best ice breaker I have ever experienced in my life, hands down
• a cruise/boat trip up the Bosphorous Strait
• Istanbul landmarks: the Hagia Sophia, the Sulemaniye Mosque, and Topkapi Palace
• observed prayer at the Blue Mosque during Ramadan Friday evening prayer
• lunch with the President of Koç University, the partner Turkish university for Georgetown
• various museums that showcase the mind-blowing history of this part of the world
• the Rumeli Hisari, which were the fortresses on both the European and Asian sides, that were significant in the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed II in 1453 (thank you, 3 weeks of Ottoman history)
• the Yedi Kule (7 towers) which are the central points of the city walls
• the Spice and Grand Bazaar (too much money spent at the latter)
• trips to Bursa and Edirne, which were both given the honors of being Ottoman capitals at some point in their histories
• dinner with the Istanbul MP, who hosted us at the venue she uses to host Prime Minister Erdogan and the Turkish President and his wife

In Ankara, we were able to...

• visit the Turkish Parliament and speak to the deputy speaker of the house
• have a Q and A session with an MP from Southeastern Turkey
• visit the US Embassy
• visit the foreign ministry of Turkey (Turkish State Department, basically); one of the top diplomats is actually the husband of my professor
• meet up with Mike Nocella's friend, Ali!

This is actually a really condensed list of what we did in 14 days. It makes me a little breathless still to think I was expected to arrive in a completely foreign country, nomad-ize myself, and have a 7 am to 9 pm jam-packed schedule daily for my first 2 weeks here. It astounds me even more that I have never met most of the people before this trip, and how much I have come to rely on their company. My first two weeks in this country was extremely intense; but those two weeks have proven to be just the beginning of an even crazier semester. More updates to come of the adventures of Janice in Turkey.

Some of my favorite pictures:

Iznik tiles

The Aya Sofya

From the Bosphorous Strait

The Aya Sofya

View from Apartment out to the Golden Horn

Not Constantinople

My first night in Istanbul. Love it, love it, love. It. Kay hanim met us at the airport, we headed off to the hotel (scary bus ride) and enjoyed, absolutely enjoyed, the beautiful weather and view from the hotel terrace and our fifth floor patio.
I LOVE it. We spent a little bit of time at the hotel settling in, and then walked out for dinner. It was So beautiful. Because we came in the middle of Ramadan, people break fast at about 7 and pretty much, it’s a huge party at night. We are near the Hippodrome, and that is where most people gather from around the city. The municipality puts on this huge parade and...it’s just a big party. And it happens every night in Ramadan (which lasts for about a month, and our time at Istanbul is entirely during Ramadan). Yes.
We had dinner at a little kebab place- fairly simple food, but definitely healthy and yummy. I am so excited. ☺